Lakers still Kobe’s team, new coach says

Mike Brown, the new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during his introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El Segundo, California. Brown replaced Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who retired at the end of this season. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Mike Brown may bring a different coaching philosophy to the Los Angeles Lakers as he takes over from Phil Jackson, but he said one thing remains the same: The Lakers are Kobe Bryant’s team.

Brown, who was formally introduced as Jackson’s successor on Tuesday, said his first meeting with Lakers superstar Bryant — a five-time NBA title winner — “went very well.”

“This is still his team. We’ll make sure that he’ll have the ball in the sweet spots that he likes,” Brown said. “He has a great understanding of my vision and he’s on board.”

Bryant, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum had voiced support for longtime Jackson assistant Brian Shaw to take the helm of the team. Jackson, who guided Michael Jordan’s Chicago to six NBA titles and then the Lakers to five, retired as expected after Dallas swept the two-time defending champion Lakers out of the second round of the playoffs.

Besides meeting with Bryant and talking on the phone with his wife, Vanessa, Brown said he’s talked to Fisher and his wife, Pau Gasol, Bynum and Ron Artest.

Brown said he wasn’t concerned that his appointment hasn’t been greeted with universal support.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion, I respect that,” he said. “Winning will cure all of that.”

Team owner Jerry Buss admitted that Brown didn’t initially stand out on his radar.

“Then when he started talking to us, he said how he would handle this team. He was very prepared,” Buss said. “I liked his X’s and O’s, his visions for our future.

“Very few people understand that our job is to try and remain on top forever. He likes that philosophy. I like that.”

Prior to his introduction, the 41-year-old Brown inked a four-year contract worth roughly $18 million.

Brown led Cleveland to the 2007 NBA finals and went 272-138 with the Cavaliers, becoming the most successful coach in franchise history while compiling the league’s best regular-season record in each of his last two seasons.

He was sacked last year before then Cavs star LeBron James fled for Miami.

This season Brown has been working as an ESPN television analyst.

Brown said he’s prepared for the inevitable comparisons to Jackson.

“I’m not sure what size shoe he wears, but I’m not here to fill his shoes,” he said. “I’m here to help this team and organization carve our own path to success.”